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Nassau Legislature votes 17-1 for Sands casino lease
BY ROBERT PELAEZ
The Nassau County Legislature approved a resolution for Las Vegas Sands to construct a $4 billion entertainment center, headlined by a casino, at the site of the Nassau Coliseum Monday.
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The 99-year lease agreement passed 17-1, with Democratic Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton the only opposing vote. Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) recused himself from the vote because of a confict of interest with a relative’s employ-
Republican-controlled Legislature for their work in helping to arrange an entertainment destination in Nassau County.
“The approval granted today by the Nassau County Legislature is an important step in our company’s eforts to secure a New York gaming license and ultimately develop a world-class hospitality, entertainment and gaming destination,” Goldstein said in a statement. “We thank County Executive Blakeman for his vision, leadership, dedication, and commitment to Nassau County residents and taxpayers. We appreciate and
Blakeman in late April, had already received approval from the Legislature’s Rules Committee earlier this month. Sands Vice President Ron Reese told Blank Slate Media in January that the $4 billion resort includes a casino, hotel, live entertainment venue, community centers, restaurants and more.
It will be constructed at the site of the Coliseum and the surrounding 72 acres known as the Nassau Hub. The fate of the Coliseum has yet to be decided by the Sands team, which has full control over its fate, according to Blakeman.
Reese also said the hotel would have at least 800 rooms and the live performance venue would have a 5,000-7,500 seat capacity. Blakeman said the agreement includes a “workforce housing” component regardless of whether or not Sands obtains a gaming license, though there would not be a housing project or development.
When the casino opens, Blakeman said, Nassau is guaranteed $25 million in revenue with escalation costs. That fgure increases to $50 million a year with escalation costs once the operation has been running for three years.
